Regulating device



Oct. 19, 1937. J A, MacLEAN 2,096,051

REGULATING DEVICE Filed March 20, 1936 mmvroa JaimZI-MacLe'am HIS Arronlwzv.

Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE aneuna'rmc nnvrcn Application March 20, 1936, Serial No- 69,766

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in regulating devices, and particularly devices for regulating the admission of a fluid to a receptacle.

An object of the invention is to provide a regulating device that will function as required in connection with a receptacle enclosing mechanism to be adjusted but constructed so that access to the interior of the receptacle is not easily obtained. In its preferred form the invention is especially adapted for receptacles that are sealed,

and it comprises means by which the device can to which a fluid medium is supplied through a v pipe 2. This pipe 2 leads to a header 3 in the vessel I, the header 3 having a number of openings through which the contents of the pipe 2 are delivered- The vessel 1 may be the evaporator of a refrigerating system, and the medium supplied by the pipe 2 may be a refrigerating agent that is cooled in the evaporator I by vaporization of part thereof. For this purpose a vacuum of the necessary degree is maintained in the evaporator and the vapor is removed through an outlet 4. The remainder of the refrigerant which is liquid is led away through the delivery pipe 5 for use.

In line of the pipe 2 adjacent the evaporator I is a valve 8 which is controlled by a float I. The valve is in a casing 8 and has a stem 9 which passes into the evaporator where it is pinned to a rod or lever III on which the float I is rigidly mounted. Of course the rod 9 is disposed in substantiall vertical position because the float is actuated by the liquid collecting on the bottom the level of the liquid rises or falls. The valve opens when the level of the liquid in the evaporator is reduced and moves toward closed position when the depth of the-liquid increases so as to lift the float I. By means of the invention the operation of the regulating device is adjusted to enable any depth to be selected for the closing of the valve that is desirable according to working conditions. The end of the rod or lever I0 is pinned or fulcrumed as shown at II to a member or arm of the evaporator I and moves the valve 8 as I2 pivotally attached to a support I4 and extending a fixed distance into the receptacle I. This support is mounted in flxed position upon the wall of the evaporator I adjacent an opening I5 through which the member I2 projects to the outside of the evaporator. The protruding extremity of the member I2 is flanked above and below by fixed projections or lugs I6 which are on the exterior of the evaporator I and have threaded openings to receive adjustable headed screws II. By turning these screws the member I2 can be actuated so as to elevate or depress the fulcrum I I. Obviously with the liquid at a given depth and adjustment made to close the valve when the depth increases to a predetermined extent, when the fulcrum I I is depressed, the liquid can rise to a still higher level in the evaporator I a before the valve 6 is closed, and when the fulcrum II is lifted the valve will be closed at a level of the liquid not so high in the evaporator.

The adjusting means comprising the screws I'I are provided with a cover I8 which-is'attached to the outside of the evaporator I by screws I9. This cover can be removed at any time when the screws II are to be manipulated.

The casing 8 contains a thimble-shaped web-28 which has two ports 2| to be uncovered or closed by the valve 8, which is of the flanged or piston type so that it can cor-operate with these ports. This casing has a flanged projection 22 to enable it to be aflixed to the bottom of the evaporator in position to cover asuitable opening to give passage to the rod 9 of the valve, and within the evaporator is a fitting 23 having a bossor projection 24 which enters this opening and the adjacent portions of the casing 8. The boss 24 is perforated for the rod 9 and the bore therethrough is enlarged as shown at 25 to receive packing 26 for a screw threaded gland '21 to surround the rod 9 and make it proof against leakage of the liquid admitted to the evaporator through the pipe 2. The cover I8 of course prevents any air from leaking into the evaporator and interfering with the vacuum therein, and a suitable gasket between the exterior of the evaporator and the rim of the cover may be used. The fitting 23 has a vertical projection 28 with a slot 29 to form a guide for the float lever Ill.

The invention is thus seen to be quite simple in construction and very effective and practical to serve its intended purpose. The float can be set to close the valve at any selected level and the admission of refrigerant to the evaporator is thus controlled. No reaching into the evaporator with a tool is ever needed.

a fulcrum for a "float lever, and .on the outside of the receptacle separate from said M crum and engaglngthe outer end of the arm whereby thearm may be pivoted to variably position said am and fulcrum with respect to the level in the receptacle. said means also acting to secure the arm in adjusted position. 

